In Your Presence

Eric Nicolai
  • 4.8 (52)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
In Your Presence

Meditations by Fr. Eric Nicolai, a Catholic priest of Opus Dei in Ernescliff College, Toronto. They are times of prayer addressed to men or women, with the intention of providing a personal dialogue with the Lord Jesus Christ present in their midst. They are usually preached in oratories of Opus Dei.

  1. Creating the Warmth of a Home

    1 DAY AGO

    Creating the Warmth of a Home

    A meditation preached at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto on December 20, 2024. With the scene of the annunciation to Mary, redemption has begun. But the last thing the angel mentioned was meant to show that the incarnation takes place within the larger context of the family, Mary’s family, but also Elizabeth's family. God decided that Elizabeth should bear a son. Mary would participate in this, to give support. The unity of the members of a family - and, with more reason if they are children of God through Baptism - manifests the unity of God, his Creator: "The Christian family is a communion of persons, reflection and image of the communion of the Father and of the Son in the Holy Spirit”. (CCC 2207). This is the time to contribute to family warmth. Provide affection and service. St. Josemaria often explained that the model of our family life is in the Holy Family of Nazareth. He liked so much to imagine the personal and close relationship that Jesus, Mary and Joseph had, that he said to his spiritual daughters and sons: "to this Family we belong." Music: relaxing-piano-music-248868 Thumbnail: Thomas Kinkade HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

    29 min
  2. Rejoice! Discover your Inner Corvette

    6 DAYS AGO

    Rejoice! Discover your Inner Corvette

    Preached on Gaudete Sunday at Lyncroft Centre, Toronto, December 15, 2024. Phil 4, 4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. There are the surface aspects of our life, there are the edges. Some days were good, other days not so much. But deep on the river bed there is calm. Music: relaxing-piano-music-248868

    29 min
  3. Mary is the New Eve by her Obedience

    DEC 9

    Mary is the New Eve by her Obedience

    Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation at Lyncroft Centre, Toronto on December 9, 2024, solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, her preservation from all sin, meant that not even a tiny shadow of darkness existed in her soul. Knowing this was the product of a process.  First the Christian people realized it, then theologians discussed it, and gradually the Church became more and more aware of what it means to say she was full of grace, the holiness of the mother of God. The realization that she was redeemed in a unique way, right from the moment of her conception. Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares, YouTube music

    28 min
  4. He saw the Lame, the Blind, the Mute: he had mercy

    DEC 7

    He saw the Lame, the Blind, the Mute: he had mercy

    Fr. Eric Nicolai peached this meditation on December 4th, 2024 at Kintore College. Today’s Gospel is from St. Matthew St. Matthew 15, 29-37, about the multiplication of loaves and fish. Crowds had followed him. So many people were attracted to him. And Matthew gives a brief description of these people: they were lame, blind, deformed, mute, and many others. These people with all these infirmities could not have gotten there on their own.  They needed friends or family to get around, or to help them understand what Jesus was saying. All this moved the heart of Jesus. He was moved by the suffering, he saw people hindered by their limitations and their pain, but I think he saw beyond that, he was also touched by the generous solidarity of people around them. People helping them to get their food, to protect them, guide them, and encourage them. Music: Regi Stone All Heaven Declares from Catholic Music Youtube channel Image: Jean-Francois Tissot, Life of Christ, 1890s.

    19 min
  5. Stand erect and raise your heads: The example of St. Francis Xavier

    DEC 3

    Stand erect and raise your heads: The example of St. Francis Xavier

    A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on December 3, 2024 at Ernescliff College, Toronto. Jesus addresses a word of hope to His disciples: “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Luke 21, 28). During the time of advent, a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord, we may feel a faint whisper of sadness, maybe discomfort. The Lord invites us to stand erect. This is what the life of Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was like. What an example of zeal and apostolate. Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares, from Catholic Music Youtube channel

    26 min
  6. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews

    NOV 24

    Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews

    Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation on November 24, 2024, the solemnity of Christ the King in Lyncroft Centre, Toronto. John 18, 33: ’Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilate asked. Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me?’ Thinking it would placate Jesus, he had the inscription placed over his head on the cross: Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. In Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judaeorum…  Different characters and languages that suggested his own universal kingship in the universal church. Latin was the languages of the conquerors, Greek was more universal, like English today, and Hebrew, the local dialect. Music: Regi Stone All Heaven Declares from Catholic Music Youtube channel Thumbnail: Diego Velazquez, Crucifixion, 1632, Prado Museum, Madrid.

    23 min
  7. Getting Ready for a Happy Ending

    NOV 21

    Getting Ready for a Happy Ending

    A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on November 20, 2024 at Hawthorn School for Girls in Toronto. J.R. R. Tolkien was chided by his contemporary fantasy writers for saying that the best fantasy has happy endings. For many them, the realism came in the dark, terrifying tales that ended in tragedy. But our faith tells us that death is a doorway to a happy ending, and we can prepare for it now, as we consider the kingdom of Christ. Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares. From Catholic music YouTube channel. Thumbnail: West portal of Chartres Cathedral, Christ Pantocrator.

    34 min
  8. Let's Make a Mess: Spreading His Reign all over

    NOV 14

    Let's Make a Mess: Spreading His Reign all over

    Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation in Lyncroft Centre in Toronto, on November 2, 2024. Saint Josemaria faced a lot of opposition when he started his apostolic endeavours. In the Way he said: "God wants a handful of men 'of his own' in every human activity. And then... 'pax Christi in regno Christi — the peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ'. " We have to help him reign really with our apostolate. He wants to need us. He wants us to be docile subjects. He wants us to go out there and stir things up.  Pope Francis speaks of hacer lio. ¡Hagan lío! Pero un lío que nazca de conocer a Jesús. Shake things up. I think you would say: “make a mess!” Messiness is a good things. Later we will clean up what must be cleaned. “stir up trouble!” or “shake things up!” Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares, From Catholic Music Youtube Channel. 2003 Straight Arrow Records. Released on: 2003-01-01 Main Artist: Regi Stone Composer: Darlene Zschech Lyricist: Darlene Zschech Music Publisher: Hillsongs Thumbnail: Shove Memorial Chapel, Colorado College.

    29 min
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out of 5
52 Ratings

About

Meditations by Fr. Eric Nicolai, a Catholic priest of Opus Dei in Ernescliff College, Toronto. They are times of prayer addressed to men or women, with the intention of providing a personal dialogue with the Lord Jesus Christ present in their midst. They are usually preached in oratories of Opus Dei.

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Nicolai
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    393
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Eric Nicolai
  • Show Website
    In Your Presence

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